Anyone ever take a planned prolonged break from lifting?

[I Are Baboon]

I've been going to a gym for 12 years or so and haven't taken a break from lifting for more than a couple weeks in at least five years. I've got some nagging soreness that won't seem to go away and have just been living with it for a while now, pushing through it at the gym with no negative impact on my workouts. I'm just getting tired of the sorness and was thinking of taking a break from lifting for a few months. I really don't want to, but I'd like to not hurt. Specifically, both shoulders, my left wrist and my right elbow have nagging pain. I just know I'm going to lose a lot of strength from a three month break.

I'm a real active guy (workouts, cardio, mountain biking, road biking, skiing, hockey) and am just talking about eliminating the weight lifting for a while.

Anyone else ever take an extended break from lifting for this type of reason? Not going to the gym for a few months on account of laziness does not qualify.

Thanks yo. Getting older sucks.

 

[StanUk]

I think the longest i took off was 9 weeks, i went travelling to France and did a snowboarding season out there, had no access to weights/gym. I lost a relatively large amount of size mainly because i was snowboarding all day every day and eating half of what i normally would due to trying to save money out there, as soon as i got back it only took a couple months for the size/strength to come back.

So although my circumstances were different i did have to take a while off without wanting to, but muscle memory is a great thing and if your staying active during that time I dont think you've got to worry about turning into a fattie

 

[I Are Baboon]

i went travelling to France and did a snowboarding season out there...

SWEEEEEEEEEET.

 

[StanUk]

Yeh it was great, no job or anything, just snowboarding from morning till night (well.. when the last lifts closed) for 9 weeks

 

[KelJu]

I have stopped for periods of 2 months or more to catch up in school. It never took long to get right back where I was.

 

[Delusional]

im no expert or anything. but id say as long as kept your diet in check during that time, that you wouldnt lose much strength or muscle or anything for that matter. and yeah, then as soon as you are ready to come back you can gain back what you lost fairly easy and possibly a little more. but seriously, if i was you id take as much time needed to feel fully recovered and ready to hit those weights hard.

 

[Big G]

Got a terrible exertion headache that recurred every time I tried to lift (even little weights) so took a month off just recently. It shot all my numbers to hell, but they're all back (And some!) just a month later.

The important thing is to listen to your body. Take a month off, go back and try again (just something light). If there's no pain, up the weight next session. You might not need 3mo afterall.

 

[vortrit]

I've never taken a long break but from what you've said, at least, you'll still be active. I bet you catch back up in no time when you decide to go back.

 

[I Are Baboon]

I'm not a real big guy (5'11", 163) so I'd probably lose a lot more strength in relation to my size than a lot of you bigger guys. Long term though it'd probably be a good idea to take the break...I just really don't want to. Meh.

 

[shiznit2169]

I don't know, it depends on your body type. I took a month off this past August because i had my wisdom teeth removed and then had lasik eye surgery so i went from 194 lbs to 177 lbs. I am 6'1 with an ectomorph body type and my metabolism is lightning fast. So, i lost a lot of size (some strength) and i am having difficulty getting back to where i was before. It sucks but i am working on it.

 

[Witchblade]

I don't know, it depends on your body type. I took a month off this past August because i had my wisdom teeth removed and then had lasik eye surgery so i went from 194 lbs to 177 lbs. I am 6'1 with an ectomorph body type and my metabolism is lightning fast. So, i lost a lot of size (some strength) and i am having difficulty getting back to where i was before. It sucks but i am working on it.

Same here, lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks (and counting). We differ from other idlers in that we were ill though.

 

[goob]

Same here, lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks (and counting). We differ from other idlers in that we were ill though.

I think most idlers would end up gaining weight, not losing it. Although not in a good way.

Wish my metabolism was lightening quick.

 

[I Are Baboon]

I'm not at all concerned about gaining weight. Weight lifting probably counts for about 10% of my calories burned exercising and I'd adjust my diet accordingly. My only concern is losing strength and muscle.

 

[PreMier]

have you gone to a massage therapist, or a physical therapist to see if they can work some of that out?

 

[P-funk]

have you gone to a massage therapist, or a physical therapist to see if they can work some of that out?

bingo. healthy muscles don't hurt. the problems you are experiencing are probebly part of a bigger event going on. I would look into finding someone who is really good at soft tissue work.

 

[sensamilia]

I take one week of every 8 weeks. I dont change up my cals thou which i probly shud.